Tent camping
(9/13/2014) Touring on a motorcycle and tent camping fit together quite naturally for many riders. We’re already exposing ourselves to the elements. More than once, I’ve felt that getting into my tent and out of the rain was quite cozy compared to riding in the stuff.
On my recent northwest adventure to British Columbia (BC) and nearby states and provinces, my friend Mitch and I packed for tent camping. In my last blog, I advised that you should only pack camping gear if you’re committed to using it because it takes so much space on your bike. However, I’d like to add that having camping gear along—even if you don’t ever use it—offers you a safety net in the event you are unable to find a hotel room or break down in a very remote area that requires an unscheduled overnight stay along the road.
Sleeping in a tent also offers other benefits. It allows you to
- stay close to your bike,
- enjoy nature while you sleep,
- meet other riders (and campers) of a like mind,
- offers flexibility on where to stay for the night,
- and might even save you little money.
Proximity to the bikes
When we camped in the Badlands National Park (South Dakota)--which I captured in a bunch of photos, several of which I’ve included here—we slept within 50 feet of our bikes. In addition to a sense of security, such proximity makes unpacking and repacking a much faster process. Other bikers in the area can also link the specific machines to us, which often leads to conversation and maybe even a meal shared together.
Wind
Sometimes you enjoy nature at night, and other times you lie there wondering if nature is going to find its way into your tent and enjoy you—as in a nocturnal meal. On my recent BC trip, we spent much of our time in bear country.
When we camped in the Badlands, the challenge was wind. I quickly learned how to set up my tent in a 35 mph breeze. Hint: stake the base on the windward corner(s) as soon as is practical. I brought along a dark green Eureka Timberline tent. As you can see in the second photo, my tent was right up against the prairie grass. I learned that wind over prairie grass is loud. I think I slept about three hours total that night.
The photo above, left is one I took of the sunset as seen from our campsite in Badlands National Park.
Fritz from Austin, Texas
Mitch and I also camped at the KAO (Kampgrounds of America) in St. Mary, Montana. After we had set up our tents and finished unpacking the bikes, we sat at a picnic table resting. We then observed a small Japanese-made motorcycle come into our area of the campground. We laughed as we watched an older gentlemen with a long white beard ride right by us on his strange-looking bike. For cargo, he had a single container: a very large box where the passenger seat and luggage rack would go. It was 3-4 feet square and about 18-inches tall.
We had the pleasure of meeting this unusual man in the KOA store a couple hours later as we got some after-dinner ice cream. His name is Fritz and he was returning from his 12th ride to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He was on his way home to Austin, Texas. Mitch was fussing with his cell phone, so I had the pleasure of hearing Fritz’s many stories. When a man has been on the road alone for eight+ weeks, he tends to have a lot he wants to share when next he meets another human being. :-)
Mitch and I regret not getting a photo of Fritz and his contact information. He was fascinating.
In the photo at right, that's me at the KOA in St. Mary, Montana.
What you need to tent camp comfortably
As I wrote above, I use a Eureka Timberline SQ 2XT three-season tent. I love it because I know it will keep me dry even in a heavy rain. It also can trap heat well when I want it to, such as when we were just outside of Glacier National Park. On the other hand, it vents well when you open it up, such as my night in the Badlands. Be sure to buy a sturdy plastic sheet to lay on the ground underneath the tent to keep moisture out and protect the bottom.
I hate being cold, especially when I’m trying to sleep. To stay warm in a tent, you need a quality sleeping bag and an insulated mattress.
I have a somewhat bulky sleeping bag that’s rated for about 20°F. Because I’m carrying it on the bike—as opposed to backpacking—I chose to save money and bought a less compact bag, but still one that will keep me warm.
What I’ve learned from painful experience is that a quality insulated air mattress is essential. On my recent BC trip, I slept well and my Therm-a-Rest mattress was a key contributor. I purchased the large one: it’s 72 inches tall, but just as importantly, it’s wide enough that even if I move around a little in the night, I don’t find myself on the tent floor. My advice is, don’t skimp on the mattress!
Click on the photo of Mitch sitting at the table writing. Note what’s on the table. That empty Gatorade bottle was mine and it proved very useful. Here’s a tip from experienced campers that I only learned on this trip: take an empty Gatorade bottle or other plastic, disposable bottle with a wide mouth into your tent for the night. It can save you a trip in the night to pee. We older gentlemen can’t hold it all night the way we used to. :-)
Kid in a candy store
Be warned, if you’re anything like me, going to CampMor’s website or even worse, a local REI store, can be very expensive as you become a kid in a candy store. Make a list before you shop and stick to it.
Other stuff I packed for the trip that was useful was compact, high-tech cookware and a head-mounted light from REI. What I ended up tossing were two freeze-dried dinners I bought at REI. Mitch and I agreed that they were nasty.
Michael A. Uhl
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